CHAPTER II. 



THE WHITE-SPORED AGARICS. 



The species bearing the white spores seem to be higher in type than those 

 producing colored spores. Most of the former are firmer, while the black spored 

 specimens soon deliquesce. The white spores are usually oval, sometimes round, 

 and in many cases quite spiny. All white-spored specimens will be found in 

 clean places. 



Amanita. Pers. 



Amanita is supposed to be derived from Mount Amanus, an ancient name 

 of a range separating Cilicia from Syria. It is supposed that Galen first brought 

 specimens of this fungus from that region. 



The genus Amanita has both a volva and a veil. The spores are white and 

 the stem is readily separable from the cap. The volva is universal at first, 

 enveloping the young plant, yet distinct and free from the cuticule of the pileus. 



This genus contains some of the most deadly poisonous mushrooms, although 

 a few are known to be very good. There is a large number of species about 75 

 being known, 42 of which have been found in this country a few being quite 

 common in this state. All the Amanita are terrestrial plants, mostly solitary in 

 their habits, and chiefly found in the woods, or in well wooded grounds. 



In the button stage it resembles a small tgg or puff-ball, as will be seen 

 in Figure 6, page 11, and great care should be taken to distinguish it from the 

 latter, if one is hunting puff-balls to eat; yet the danger is not great, since the 

 volva usually breaks before the plant comes through the ground. 



Amanita phalloides. Fr. 

 The Deadly A iAnita. 



Phalloides means phallus-like. This plant and its related species are deadly 

 poisonous. For this reason the plant should.be carefully studied and thoroughly 

 known by every mushroom hunter. In different localities, and sometimes in the 

 same locality, the plant will appear in very different shades of color. There are 

 also variations in the way in which the volva is ruptured, as well as in the char- 

 acter of the stem. 



The beginner will imagine he has a new species often, till he becomes 

 thoroughly acquainted with all the idiosyncrasies of this plant. 



The pileus is smooth, even, viscid when young and moist, frequently adorned 

 (20) 



